Saint Mary's University of Minnesota Athletics

OK, so writing this Senior Salute is probably the last thing I would ever want to do, not because it’s another paper, but because it puts an end to one of the most important things in my life, volleyball. Volleyball has had an impact in my life in more than one way, and I have built such  a passion for the sport that  let’s just say I’m sad to say goodbye.

So, I want to start with the people who have taught me most about the game, and that is my coaches. First, I would like to thank my first coach, Gwenn Pike, she has taught me so much about the sport and I think initially ignited the passion for the sport that I carry within me today. And then Coach Lester, thank you for allowing me to grow as a volleyball player and as a person. I remember the first time I talked to you on the phone, you were the one who convinced me to come to Saint Mary’s and I will forever be grateful, and I would be happy to repay you by playing front row at any time. Tessa, and Ashley, thanks for putting up with my spastic behavior, it was great to have you here this year. Kristin, thank you for listening and teaching me how to role standing up. Rick, yes I sweat a lot, get over it!

To my teammates: I love you all, more than you will know. You have made this one of the best seasons I have had, and not just because we look damn good in our spandex, but because you are all my second family.

Kuu, you have no idea how excited I was to find another fan of Kansas, (and then to be disappointed because that’s just your nickname.) You are a powerhouse in the front row and quite an obstacle to get once you shield us from the ball.

Erika, I feel like you always seem to catch my random comments, and then give me a look like what? Thanks for just rolling with it and not making me feel so weird.

Rachel M., you have worked your butt off and keep it up, because you are an amazing setter.

Rachel S., you are great! How lucky are we to have a manager with such great vball skills but also talent in the art room as well.

Rac, you work soo hard in the middle, and continue to make me look like a fool in left back, but keep it up, because I get to play on your team in real games.

Mate: You continue to hit the ball harder each year and amaze me each time you swing, and yes I am jealous, hence why I try to steal the ball from you sometimes in front row.

Sara G., ORANGES FOR LIFE! Would anyone really doubt that we would be anything other. I love watching you try to time your entrance when they call your name before the game, maybe by senior year you’ll get it down.

Sara H., do you think you could pencil me in as your warm-up partner sometime?! You crack me up, and I love how honest you are about your body.

Lindsey,  you kick my butt, weather you know it or not, but you have no idea how much you have challenged me to be better and you are the one voice that I continue to listened for on the court and can still hear 20 feet off the court.

Welly, would you rather be Hannah Montana or Theresa Perrini? (you think hard before answering this one) Wells with you I get the best of both worlds, someone to play volleyball with and to laugh at my jokes! Continue to make Hannah proud!

Jess, it has been such a fun 3 years, I was amazed at how high you could jump before you came into SMU and am continually amazed at each practice!

Court, you are my right-hand man on the court, you are the one name I continually yell to get the ball, even if you are no where near it! Thanks for always being there to save my butt!

Pam, my warm-up partner! You get me excited to pepper each practice, and your pump up words are awesome, you keep it up girl!

Britt, you deserve more credit than you receive. You work so hard and through all the pain (probably because I can’t make an easy pass for you) and you do it all with a smile, which credits exactly who you are.

Carol, my co-captain, roommate, and best friend … thank you for being optimistic and such a lovable person, the best thing about you is that you do great things with everyone, it’s not just one person that gets that luxury, anyone that comes into contact with you does.

To the other two ladies that should be experiencing the Senior Day with us:

D: You were so intimidating to play against, and even today, an even more intimidating ball-roller, thanks for all the support, and we will let you do your thing in Basketball.

Kelsi: my warm-up partner for life! To this day you are the best pepper partner I have ever had! Carol and I used to fight for you at practice, and I always won! Haha…but how lucky was I to know that you would turn out to be one of my best friends, gosh I love lamp!

To the special people of Saint Mary’s:

E, mi compañera de cuarto, te amo siempre! Thanks for always listening and being there, you are the best announcer volleyball could ask for!   

Kaufmann, we dominate at beach volleyball (Sorry Mess and Paulson) but you pulled out some sweet moves for us to win! I loved our random dance parties at night to avoid doing hw.

Roommate (Paulson), Yes, I did hear that the poof was out, but somehow you are able to pull it off! I really didn’t have to ask God for a prettier roommate, because you are beautiful inside and out.

Mess, so in case you didn’t know, I look forward to you coming in every night to hear how the day is going, I would love to be a Mess, but I’m not sure I would fit in with the whole science thing, so you might have to break the news to Zack.

To the Kaufmann’s, Paulson’s, Scanlon’s, Mess’s and Kiefer’s! You have all been my second family here, and thank you for taking me in when Kansas was just too far to travel.  And for the record I am the only one of the six-pack that has been to everyone’s house, but that was only possible because of you all, so THANK YOU!!!

To the parents of the v-ball team, thank you for feeding us and fueling us when we were absolutely exhausted at the matches. The food was delicious and thanks for the support.

To my real family: I love you all more than you know and you are all what makes coming home so great! Aunt Molly: Thank you for making the trips up here, just because you love me, we are all so lucky to have someone like you in our lives.

Grandma, Aunt Michelle, and the rest of the family: Thank you for coming and surprising me. You have no idea how comforting it is to have my family at the games.

To the Perrini Family (by the way, I do think it is a pretty cool last name, which is why we are all pretty cool people):

Jo, I look up to you soo much, weather it was our first work-out video, or now with you running those marathons, you amaze me and inspire me to do better.

Steph, do you think you could sing the Rudolph song for me? Thanks for always being there and supporting me, I hope that I can have it all together like you one day.

Guppie: haha, I just wanted to throw that in there because what if people actually think that’s your real name! You are a great twin, and I love how you can crack me up in almost any situation, thank you!

Jules: I am soo jealous of your Italian beautifulness! Thanks for supporting me and getting my hopes up about Sports Illustrated, I love being able to crack up with you about anything.

Dad: You basically convinced me to continue to play volleyball, and I have never regretted it since. I admire all the hard work you do, and then still being able to be at the games, what can I say you are just a cool man, (hence the last name)! Thank you for keeping me tough, because I continue to hear you rootin’ me on at each game.

Mom: I don’t know where to begin to say Thank you! You have been my number one fan from the beginning and your love and support is what has kept me going. Thank you for always listening and making me feel better after a game, you are one of the first people I call after a game because I love to hear how excited you get! THANK YOU!

And last, but certainly not least, I would like to thank God. You see all the people that I have mentioned (and those that I have forgot to mention) have all been a blessing to me. I have been fortunate enough to have the family that I have, and then to come to Saint Mary’s and find a second one. The thing is I was completely unsure if I wanted to go to Saint Mary’s at the beginning, and in the end I was able to say, this is where I am supposed to be. I can’t tell you how many times I have stepped back and said “Thank you” to God because I have realized how lucky I am!